Syteria

In containing an indelible mixture of North-East, Yorkshire, and some Buenos Aires, Argentina, those mighty rockers, Syteria, are readying themselves to start going places again. After all, they were all going places, until the past couple of years struck, and slowed everything right down to a snail’s pace, and then some. Geographically though, these rockers consist of Steph Dawson (North Tyneside), Jackie Chambers (Pudsey), and the siblings Julia and Pablo Calvo (Sheffield, via Buenos Aires); although the siblings themselves have spent some time back home in their native South America, the two ladies back home, Chambers and Dawson, have continued to fly the Syteria flag. Flying for the flag for when things do return to some kind of normality. In Chambers though, the legendary musician having been part of that four decade strong, iconic, all-female heavy metal band, Girlschool, for the past two decades herself, ‘Jax,; certainly knows the lay of the land. Bassist Steph Dawson isn’t an unknown on the music scene either, she picking up a few tricks of the trade from her time with the north-east’s former, all-girl trio, Scream of Sirens, whilst also holding a BA Hons in Music degree

from Newcastle University, and a BTEC National Diploma in Music Practice. “When we got together, Julia, she was already living here,” began Jax. “One thing soon led to another, and I just really loved her vocals, then we found Keira (Syteria’s former bassist), and, after a previous drummer, we finally settled on Julia’s brother, Pablo, who is so good, and he sings as well. “I wanted some harmonies, and what they bring, Julia and Pablo, it’s something which they’ve had since they were what, three, maybe four-years-old – it’s truly amazing.” A couple of releases later, their momentum has known no bounds, bringing them blazing towards the start of 2020 – yes, just as everything, everywhere, was preparing to change. Syteria would release their debut EP, ‘Wake UP,; in 2016, followed by their debut album, ‘Rant-o-Bot, a year later, it being nominated for several awards and lead them to release the 12-track masterpiece, ‘Reflection.’ An insane mixture of sound containing both of Syteria’s bass players, Keira, and Steph, it’s that specific fact which Steph wants to change, In her favour, on the bands’ next album. “There’s actually been a really good transition if I’m honest, from the Sirens, to Syteria,” continued Steph. “Granted, being in this band has made me think differently, it’s been more challenging, but it’s also been rather fun at the same time. “When I first heard Syteria’s music, I was literally blown away; it’s my ideal kind of music. “Obviously, there was a gap between Sirens and Syteria, but everything though, it was going so good, and then the last two years happened.” Those past two years, that of 2020 and 2021, have seen the Syteria quartet, like numerous others

within the music industry, dip in and out of gigging, when time, and other situation, have allowed. It is the touring of albums however that have mattered most and, upon ‘reflection,’ they’re now more than ready to go again, and sooner rather than later. “We’ve been looking into maybe some support tours, but it’s still a little difficult everywhere,” added Jax. “It’s certainly been a combination of a guessing game, with everything going on, and striking it lucky at the same time. “We’d literally released an album in the February of 2020, had performed a few gigs, then we ended up having to cancel pretty much everything. “We couldn’t really plan much though, and that also hits the fans as well.” In putting their best foot forward, hardworking, and taking no shortcuts, Steph though, like everyone else, is certainly raring to go. With gigs to the dozen already pencilled into that Syteria diary, including a March trip to Whitby, and an October visit to Blackpool, among others, Syterians have plenty to look forward to, and enjoy. “I’m just hoping everything starts going more smoothly again, moving forward,” concluded Steph. “We’re really looking forward to getting back into the studio and, for me, I want to work on a full album. “Hopefully we’ll do that whilst being able to get back to some kind of normal.” Keep up-to-date with all things Syteria via their socials, Facebook https://www.facebook.com/syteriaband and Twitter https://twitter. com/SyteriaBand, whilst their website can be viewed via https:// syteria.co.uk/ (Phot credit - Adam Kennedy & Nisha Revill)